FIFA 12 In Development

Screenshot courtesy of EA Sports

For all you virtual players, EA has just released a screenshot of FIFA 12.

Not much to see yet, but it is on the street that EA's focus is on set pieces, grass, and stars like Kaka.

Release date would seem to be set around early Q4 2011 ... no doubt in time for Christmas.

You can see what EA is trying to improve on with FIFA 11. Also, take a look at an incredibly detailed analysis and wish list from blogcritics, here.

Not surprised in the least

FIFA's Jack Warner Accused of Seeking England World Cup Bid Favours

(WFI) The leaders of England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup were asked by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to pay for an education centre in his native Trinidad during the bid process.

The Times newspaper alleges that Warner twice asked England’s World Cup bid leaders about funding for facilities on the island, in London in October 2009 and again while a high-profile delegation visited Trinidad at the time of a Caribbean Football Union dinner last February. ...

See the whole story here, from World Football Insider.

Kicking Back comments: Representing CONCACAF with style since 1983. For the record, I'll take Chuck Blazer any day of the week and twice on Sunday over Jack Warner.

Another country heard from

Nowak’s referee plea goes beyond crying foul

CHESTER — It’s unusual for a coach to select a match in the first month of the season as his team’s measuring stick, an indicator of future fortunes, a forecaster of what is to come.

But that’s what Saturday represents for the Union according to manager Peter Nowak.

Nowak wants to ensure that the Union’s meeting with New York is a flawless one — from the points that his players control to those out of their hands.

“Soccer is a funny game,” Nowak said, “because there’s always something to complain about.”

By the time the Union take the pitch at PPL Park Saturday afternoon against the Red Bulls, Major League Soccer officials already will have received at least one letter from Nowak. He did the same a year ago — on a number of occasions, no less. The reason? Nowak is dissatisfied.

From what Nowak has seen during the MLS season, and Wednesday night in the Union’s U.S. Open Cup defeat, the officiating has been lackluster. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of the Daily Times.

Kicking Back Comments: While I have not seen the letters to MLS, I can only hope Piotr included some constructive points, and just simply just did not witch about how poor the officiating is. A very talented player and coach, but from my personal experience may not be the best one to dole out advice on high level referees. I hope times have changed and there is more substance than comments about how he believes a referee was "over his head."

Looks like refereeing is not the only "boys club" in soccer

Early in February I ran a short series of posts commenting on the state of refereeing in the US as it related to women ... or the lack thereof. One such notable post can be found at: Neil Buethe Speaks on women referees at the professional level.

It would seem this is not a problem that only refereeing has in the US. Take a look at the Soccer America piece, 'Coaching still a boys club,' says Vardar's Miriam Hickey. In it Hickey briefly details why in her opinion that is true. I wonder if those same reasons translate to refereeing?

She makes another interesting observation as well. From the article:

SA: Why is American youth soccer so much more expensive than in other countries, such as the Netherlands?

MIRIAM HICKEY: Only the professional clubs and top amateur clubs have professional staff. Everybody else can do with volunteers, but the sport has been there for a 150 years. In my family everybody played. My uncles, my father, my grandfather. That’s how it is in every family. So you have knowledgeable people directing the sport and so you don’t spend a whole lot.

The fields are city fields, and you don’t have to pay for them. There’s only one association that leads all the different leagues. So you have a really good pyramid going from 4-year-olds to 60-year-olds. And, of course, it’s a smaller country.

This comment was telling for me and led me to a question. How rich is our soccer heritage here in the US? Most folks who want to get involved (bless them) generally have never played the game before. Makes me a little scared as I get ready to open another youth season this Saturday.

I channel those newer referees who have played their whole life, getting yelled at by parents who have never kicked a ball before. What's wrong with that picture?

Some words from the wise as our season opens

SAFETY* Peter C. Johnson State Referee Instructor Assistant State Director of  Instruction

The unwritten Law 18 Common Sense is a very important part officiating.  However Safety is the most important part of what we do.  Not just at the youth level but at all age groups adjusted accordingly.

Law I FIELD:

Referees should arrive in plenty of time to inspect the field, goals, flags, and markings for accuracy and safety.  No part of the field surface or the goals and flag posts may be dangerous to the players.  If the field conditions are dangerous or unsuitable for play, the referee must refuse to officiate the game and, unless there is a possibility that the problem can be corrected, should leave immediately after announcing his decision to both sides. Unresolved problems with the field that do not involve safety should be included in your report, even if the game is played.

GOALS:

The goals MUST be securely anchored to the ground. For safety reasons, if the goals are not securely anchored to the ground, the match shall not be played.

CORNER FLAGS:

The corner flags and the optional halfway flags shall be no less than 5 feet high; anything shorter is dangerous to the players.  If used, the optional halfway flag  must be at least 1 yard outside the touch line. Cones shall NOT be used THEY ARE DANGEROUS in an effort to assist the referees discs may be used if suitable flags are not available. If flexible corner flags are being used and due to wind or age of said corner flags they bend into the field of play or in any direction that could affect a player safety they should not be used. (Due to the fact that they are no longer 5 ‘ high and therefore do not meet the standards of the law.) Players, coaches, spectator etc, are not allowed to remove, bend, or touch the flags.

Law III Players (Goalkeeper) Safety – The referee must be vigilant with respect to the safety of the youth goalkeeper.  Call any infringement of the law 12 that is clearly against the letter of the law.  If a young goalkeeper is stretched out with face and vital organs exposed we must protect them.  Protection is clearly an age related concept.  The younger the player the more we protect.  Error on the side of safety and if in the case of an older goalkeeper, they let you know they did not need your protection and are upset with having to put the ball in play with a free kick, adjust yourself accordingly.

Law IV- Players wearing of equipment, which is dangerous to other players, or to themselves, shall not be eligible to participate in any game.

Equipment which shall be considered dangerous includes, but is not limited to the following:

a.   Any rigid or semi-rigid cast or splint, apparently designed to immobilize or protect a joint or limb segment, regardless of padding, of said cast or splint.

b.   Hair control devices which are elastic, flexible, and soft should be allowed.

Devices which are made of hard, sharp, edged, or breakable materials are not safe and may not be worn, regardless of any coverings.  Beads or other similar decorative devices woven into or affixed on the hair are inherently dangerous and are not allowed.

c.   Earrings of any kind, including post earrings, regardless of coverings.

d.  Jewelry of any sort.  (Religious medals or medical tags may be taped to body)

e.   Joint braces or supports, apparently designed to permit flexion motion of a joint in  one or more planes, and to support that joint or restrict motion of that joint in other planes, are generally acceptable.  Joint braces or supports, which have exposed hinges, buckles, buttons, zippers, etc., may be dangerous. These devices, if taped or padded, may be acceptable, if they are no longer inherently dangerous to another player, in the judgment of the referee.

f.   Hats or other headgear…the brim (hard bill) of a common baseball cap is not considered to meet the requirement of soft and pliable material. (It is dangerous if not soft). Other soft protective headgear, shall be acceptable for the goalkeeper, if not inherently dangerous to another player, in the judgment of the Referee

Head Injuries: Play shall be stopped immediately. Whenever a player's head is injured -- regardless of whether the collision was with an opponent, a teammate, or an object on the field such as a goal post -- the safety of that player is of prime concern. There is no higher priority.

Other injuries:  Law 5 under “Power of the referee” states:”the referee stops the match for serious injuries and allows play to continue for minor injuries”.  It is the official policy of the State Director of Instruction that in all youth league play, U-12 and below, all injuries are serious, and play shall be stopped. The restart will be a dropped ball at the location of the ball when the referee stopped play for the injury, unless play was previously stopped and then the restart shall be the appropriate one for the stoppage.

With safety in mind we must consider the “Advantage Clause” of Law 12. Using the logic from above the referee shall call all non-trifling fouls in all youth league play, U-12 and below, and award the appropriate free-kick restart. We must ignore complaints of “We had the ball” or “That’s Advantage” deferring to safety for the younger player.

Weather:

1. Lightning

a. Recognizing the threat

(1) Apply the 30-30 rule

When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.

 (2) Minimize the risk of being struck

Protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant.  Remember, if you can hear the thunder, you are within reach of lightning.

b. Seeking proper shelter

(1) No place outside is safe near thunderstorms

(2) The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially constructed building. A vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice.

c. If there is no proper shelter, avoid the most dangerous locations: Higher elevations; wide open areas, including fields; tall isolated objects, such as trees, poles, or light posts; unprotected open buildings; rain shelters; bus stops; metal fences and metal bleachers.

d. If you cannot avoid these locations, crouch down on the balls of your feet, with your head tucked into your chest and your hands over your ears.  If someone is hit, remember that all deaths from lightning result from cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, respectively, are the recommended first aid. Referees should become involved in such assistance only if they have proper training.

e. Remain calm. A calm official will often be able to prevent panic by young players.

2. Other types of severe weather

For all other types of severe storms, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail, obey local rules and

heed warnings.  Clear the field and seek proper shelter immediately – see above. Remember, according to standard weather warning terminology a "warning" represents a more immediately likely occurrence than a "watch."

NO SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY,

BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASUALTIES.

* Excerpted from: Advice to Referees, Colorado Safety Guidelines, USSF Position papers and Points of Emphasis, and former SDI Ed Rae.

Another investigation into FIFA's actions

Fifa faces investigation into Burma business deal

Fifa is the subject of an investigation by the Swiss state authorities over allegations that its financial dealings with Burma may have broken international sanctions.

The Myanmar Times, a newspaper in the pocket of Burma's junta, is said to have reported last December that the construction firm Max Myanmar has been contracted to build a stadium that Fifa funds will help to pay for. ...

See the complete story here, courtesy of guardian.co.uk.

LeBron James Part Owner of Liverpool FC?

No folks it is not a mis-print.

The deal between Mr. James and Fenway Sports Group will give Mr. James a minority interest in the soccer club Liverpool, which FSG owns. FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, is partnering with Mr. James's sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing to become the exclusive world-wide representative for Mr. James.

See the full article "LeBron James, Fenway in Deal" courtesy of the WSJ for all the details.

A walk in the Garden(er)

The other day I ran across Paul Gardner's articles in Soccer America regarding refereeing in MLS and the points of emphasis for the 2011 season. Both are worth a read and are noted here:

Will refs respond to Garber's sensible request?

MLS: No change, despite Garber's Plea

While I would disagree about Mr. Gardner's characterization of referees in several points he makes (e.g. referees are slow to change ... quite an analysis after one whole week in the 2011 season) there is an excellent point that shines through, albeit not directly.

That point is how symbiotic the relationship is between the referees and the success of THE game in the US. Now one relationship that was not explored, and in fact dismissed outright is the relationship between the referee and the players. From the article:

If there's one thing that MLS referees could be told not to do, it is to administer these little disciplinary chats, complete with the exaggerated arm gestures intended to make a feeble referee look tough. If it’s a foul, call it. If it’s a yellow card, give it. The same with a red. There is no need for explanations or any words at all. The players know the rules ... or they are supposed to. If they don’t, that is their problem.

There are a couple of assumptions in here that are just wrong headed IMHO. First, is that players understand the LOTG. They don't. They do not spend the time understanding them to the level we as referees do, if at all. They are players, not referees, and to actually think that most players understand, even at the MLS level, understand the nuances of THE game is just silly. I can tell you from direct experience, many, if not most, do not.

Second, to just "steamroll" over players and stop talking or just issue cautions and send offs is also wrong headed. Matches need to be managed, especially at this level, not just fouls whistled and misconduct issued. Can you imagine the frustration level of the players if that occurred? It is a very basic desire to understand why something has occurred.

Now, for where Mr. Gardner goes wrong, he also goes right. There is recognition that the onus is on the players, and also on Mr. Garber. He also correctly recognized that the players and referees and outside the reach of the Commish as well. This presents the fundamental challenge for MLS and it is the same as it has always been in the US ...

How do you make THE game more attractive for the US audience. This is complicated as Mr. Garber has no direct "levers to pull" to accomplish this. Any change is through influence only. Case in point is the MLS memo to referees about points of emphasis for 2011.

Let's face it, that memo is stuff that FIFA has been working on for years. Yes, the referees are a large part of that and need to enforce these points. It is not only their burden however, it is the players as well.

On that point Mr. Gardner and I strongly agree.

All for one?

File this one under unresolved.

Just the other day I received a survey request from Teresa Smith who serves as a rules administrator for the NCAA (for soccer and a number of other sports). The survey was interesting, asking about various modification the NCAA would seem to be considering. These included:

• Limiting time for a throw-in.
• When players would shake hands.
• Use of noise makers.
• Excessive celebration of a gaol, and
• Time keeping if a caution is issued in the final 5 minutes.

My question is twofold.

First, why the exceptions to the LTOG? FIFA's LOTG deal with all of these things either explicitly or implicitly, and in fact allow the referee some discretion in how to handle them in many cases. While part of me wants to say that the NCAA is considering these rule changes to help referees, I actually believe that changes like this hurt referees as it requires referees to act in all of the above situations without any latitude to understand the situation. It turns a thoughtful moment into a "just do it" moment. Why not let the referees just referee? We say that a lot with players ... let them play. Well please, just let me referee.

Second, why not harmonize on FIFA's LOTG? This is a twist of the above question, but would make things easier for referees to be sure. I used to carry a matrix around from season to season that would enumerate the differences so I did not blow a restart doing a high school or college match. Why not make it easy on everyone? Players, coaches, and referees alike. Go ahead and wear the NCAA patch, but use the same rules.

Granted, there are times when the LOTG need to be modified for various reasons such as age of the players. Changes could include goal size, ball size, field size, periods of play, etc.. High school and college players are entering or are in the prime of their career, why are any modification needed at all?

To help the referee I think is part of it. To be distinct from FIFA as an organization I believe is another. The latter if true, may once again demonstrate a business element creeping into THE game and having the potential for a harmful result.

Just an opinion ... what are yours?

Every Referee Needs This

Every once is a while I still "get out there" and play THE game.

A few nights ago I found all my equipment and participated in a 2 hour, indoor, marathon game, in a league affectionately known as O.A.F., which stands for Old And Fat, both of which I qualify for. It is a fun series of pick up games for folks in the surrounding towns that like to get out and kick a ball around every now and then. Generally comprised of 30, 40, and 50 somethings, the play is fairly skilled and very well behaved. So it is truly a "friendly" game.

I'll be honest, it has been going on (4) years since I touched the ball in a match situation, basically since I started law school. Let's just say my first few shifts were not pretty, and the later ones while better, were not exactly stellar either.

Waking up the next morning and lying in bed, as I was not able to move at all because I was so sore, I reflected on something.

I recalled how very critical it is to have empathy as a referee. There are times when players are going to appeal to you for no reason at all and try to pull the wool over your eyes. There are times however, the majority of times, that players are going to get legitimately fouled, and you know what, it can f+($#ing hurt, a lot, as I again rediscovered the other night!

While a referee needs to stay impartial to objectively determine if, or if not, some event has occurred that requires intervention, a referee will garner more respect from the players if he can show empathy for a situation. Just remember objective does not mean aloof.

Asking questions like, "Are you okay?", or "Do you need the trainer?", are not out of bounds. They show compassion for what is going on. How many times have we been faced with a skilled player who gets fouled again, and again, and again, and after getting so frustrated at being fouled so many times they lash out at the referee for failing to call fouls? What did you do as a referee? Did you caution the skilled player for dissent? Did you speak with them to seek to understand? Or did you have the empathy to "feel" what was happening (and the refereeing vision) and caution the player making sure the star was not able to show their skills?

I would opine being empathetic to both players situations is key. Understanding the star is getting beat up and frustrated by not being able to show his skill, and the defender is there to stop the star at almost any cost will add clarity to what a referee has to do. When you then deal with the situation, you demonstrate your understanding of what is going on to all. While disagreements will occur about the action you take, you will garner the respect of ALL the players involved because you have made the effort to understand why they are there.

You may be surprised too, empathy is a two way street. It is not unheard of for a player to approach a referee during or after a match and offer words of support when the players know they are not making it easy on you that day.

A referee is not just a neutral observer, they are an active participant in THE game. Don't forget to be there.

This one is not a joke

Warner in new World Cup 'ticket scandal'

Sepp Blatter will meet the new Football Association chairman, David Bernstein, tomorrow, to try to secure England's vote for the Fifa presidency, but his visit has come at the worst time in terms of his efforts to clean up the game. Yesterday, fresh claims emerged over the controversial Fifa vice-president Jack Warner's alleged involvement in a World Cup ticket scandal. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Independent.

Kicking Back Comments: This does not help Blatter in his FIFA presidency run. This is now the second time Warner has been caught in a World Cup ticket scandal. First time was back in 2006 when he was reprimanded by FIFA. Glad to see Jack's continuing commitment to rid the world game of corruption.

Fooled you again?

As many of you no doubt noted yesterday (especially if you read my comment) I was having a little fun with folks on April Fool's Day ... which I consider a national holiday =)

Well I certainly was not the only one having some fun, just take a look at this one:

Fifa to allow Frank Lampard's World Cup goal for England v Germany as part of new 'retroactive goal-line technology' review system

Just great stuff from goal.com.

Is Qatar Losing the World Cup in 2022?

Sounds crazy huh?

Well at least one person out there thinks this can happen based on the FIFA presidential fight. One may think that the US would be a pretty viable alternative to Qatar, yes?

No, says this article stating ... and you'll love this:

As the second-placed bid behind Qatar, the United States was the logical option, but talks with the USSF “were not able to progress beyond a preliminary level.” It is understood that political considerations were key: given the current tension between the US and the Arab world, the country could ill afford to be seen to be taking a World Cup from a Middle Eastern nation.

If true, I don't know which part make me angrier, the fact that we didn't even consider trying to grab success from the jaws of epic defeat, or the folks in Chicago are making geopolitical decisions passing judgment on the big bad US (my sarcastic words) "taking" something else from "a Middle Eastern nation." Come on folks, at times US Soccer seems to have difficulty managing itself, ceding much of its perceived authority to the individual state associations, and (again if the story is true) is tying to play state department and casting judgment about what is going on over in the Middle East and translating it into not trying for the World Cup ... please. Why did we even try in the first place then knowing we were bidding against Qatar?

Australia seems to have no such hangups and with their support of Blatter, may indeed see that tournament in 2022.

We will see how much the story is fact or fiction in the days ahead, but it sounds like at FIFA it is politics as usual, and US Soccer is all to happy to sit on the sidelines.

I guess there is always 2026 ... what's 15 years, right?
For those who are not paying attention at US Soccer ... it is a lifetime.

See the full story, Australia to get 2022 World Cup, FIFA descends into chaos courtesy of The Roar.

Is there a referee in the house?

Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope, and Earnie Stewart Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011

CHICAGO (March 29, 2011) – Cobi Jones, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s all-time leading cap winner and long-time member of the LA Galaxy, Eddie Pope, a perennial anchor of the U.S. defense for nearly a decade and winner of three MLS Cups with D.C. United, and Earnie Stewart, a three-time World Cup veteran, have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011 on the Player ballot.

Joining the players in this year’s class are Bruce Murray, a midfielder and forward who was one of the leading stars of the U.S. Men’s National Team in the late 1980s and early 1990s who was elected on the Veteran ballot, and former U.S. Men’s National Team and Kansas City Wizards head coach Bob Gansler, who was elected on the Builder ballot. ...

See the whole press release here from US Soccer.

Kicking Back Comments: In looking at the nominations, I am a little surprised that there are not any referees on the list. What surprises me more is there are no ASSISTANT REFEREES on the list. If you look at the criteria to be nominated:

Builders are nominated by making their mark in the soccer community in a non-playing capacity while sustaining a major and positive impact on U.S. Soccer on a national or professional level for 10 years. Referees must serve as a FIFA referee for at least seven years to be eligible.

Actually there are three things that surprise me. First, as I stated above, no assistant referees were nominated. I can certainly think of a couple right off the top. I can also think of a few US FIFA referees too who served with distinction for more than 7 years. Not even a nomination.

Second, is players get their own category, as they should. They are in a class to themselves unquestionably. Why not referees though? Like administrators and coaches (also in the "builder" category) they certainly have a significant impact on THE game, yet like players compete on the international stage ... as an athlete and have "caps" as do players. Let us not forget folks, they are inside the field too. Yet are lumped into the "builder" category as other non-active participants. Seems odd to me. Oh yeah, they are generally volunteers too don't forget. While players, coaches, and some administrators get salaries for their time ... referees get a game fee.

Lastly in looking at the list of HOF inductees as builders here, how many referees did you notice? Not too many, and only one of fairly modern note, Alfred Kleinaitis. That is quite pathetic actually. One would think if a lifetime is spent achieving a FIFA badge, and you serve for 7 years in that capacity as so many before have, you would at least get a nomination to the HOF. Just a nomination folks.


For all the crap heaped on referees, you would think that US Soccer would offer a laurel every now and then.


Sour grapes ... maybe. But an inexplicable slight on a vibrant community that is part of every single game ... certainly.

"You're Welcome"

As many of you have seen from me in the past, I am an avid follower of Not Running a Hospital. Its author, Paul Levy, is a longtime friend to THE game, as well as an accomplished advocate for those who do not always have a voice.

In a recent post, he opined about accepting gratitude. While granted it is not something a referee hears often, it is something that we need to respond to in the right way as often times truly compelling and constructive conversation may follow.

Trust me ... this has tremendous effect. One very, very early morning leaving Ohio after an MLS game, Greg Andrulis, former coach of The Columbus Crew, was quietly waiting for a flight and we happened to bump into each other. He stopped me and started the conversation with "Thanks ... ." What a great conversation starter. From there we chatted for about 10 minutes and I recall learning more about the MLS through a coaches eyes than I had ever heard or learned before.

My recommendation is to read Paul's article on accepting gratitude, and be ready for that moment to engage in conversation as it can provide wisdom and insight that one may never easily get otherwise.

No Snood Says FIFA

Matt Reis 26-MAR-2011 v. DC United
Check out the snood

Special thanks to Dr. Rice for sending some of these links along.

So back in February of this year, I opined about "snoods" and why FIFA may be banning them.

Well FIFA has come through and is officially banning the snood as reported here from ESPN on a litany of matters IFAB is currently tinkering with.

Apparently this topic is so emotional that Sepp has hearkened back to his days as a player stating that:

I was a player in both winter and summer weather and I never wore a snood.

He continues on to say that snoods can be dangerous, and are not "part of the equipment" for playing. I agree on both fronts there. Law 4 is very clear on that point, and snoods can create a genuine danger, and should be banned.

Sepp does continue saying "We must pay attention to the Laws of the Game." Well frankly, its not a law yet, and is one that will not be "on the books" as it were until July 1, 2011 when the new law changes are published and given effect internationally. However the timing is funny as a commentator from The Soccer Insiders put it:

By the way, as proof that Sepp likes to make meaningless gestures, the ban doesn't take effect until July 1st of 2011. Yeah, that's right. The middle of summer.

Not intentional, but certainly ironic.

I would be surprised if MLS does not take immediate action themselves and not allow such garments, even absent authorization, or possibly with permission, from FIFA.

While this is good in protecting players safety, what about banning neck chains and the like? These too send the wrong message to the youth players who weekend after weekend try to wear such articles and often cite "... but I saw (MLS player X) wearing that ... ."

While not realistic I know, I would love to see consistency like this for all levels of THE game.

Joseph will meet with MLS to discuss arrest

FOXBOROUGH — Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph hopes to avoid disciplinary action by Major League Soccer following his arrest for trespassing at the team hotel in Florida during training camp.

During a post-practice interview yesterday, Joseph also said he is hoping to be offered a new contract and hopes to finish his career with the Revolution. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Boston.Com

Kicking Back Comments: I am not interested in the arrest personally. It is a simple trespass beef and frankly boys will be boys ... even at 32. MLS seemed to have a similar take only fining him $1000 (source).

What is interesting to me are (2) aspects the article touches on.

First is that MLS has denied transfers to Joseph on a couple of occasions as detailed by the story, but yet has been denied a long term contract. Transfers are not unheard of in MLS, just take a look here. While the majority are free, there are some transfers from MLS to foreign clubs, and if for money are "undisclosed." One would figure it would be a good thing to get an MLS player playing abroad, and if they do well, bring some stature to the league.

Second is Joseph's salary. He came to the league in 2003 earning the minimum of about $34000 (source), then after a stellar year signed a four deal (2004 - 2008) worth about $60000 annually. From there he has been earning $400000 on another 4 year deal (2008-2012) and is now looking for a contract.

Lets face it folks MLS is just not on par with the other major sports now as far as salary goes. The other day I opined about how to some MLS is taking the #4 spot from the NHL in so far as popularity goes ... just take a look at these salary numbers (source).

Major League Baseball: $3,297,828 (9.3% growth since 1989, CBS Sports)
National Basketball Association: $5,000,000 (estimate, Forbes)
National Football League: $1,870,000 (estimate, USA Today)
National Hockey League: $2,400,000 (estimate; Forbes)

Major League Soccer: $173,491 (Business of Soccer)

To be sure, $173K on average is nothing to sneeze at, but the gap between the marque players (all 8 of them - only one from the US) and the rest of the bunch is staggering. Credit is due however to the MLS players union for making all of this transparent in their salary reports.

Now, one thing that gets me a bit is the discrepancy between even the MLS league minimum and a referees salary. Here are some recent MLS per match salary figures for a referee:

Level 4 = $850
Level 3 = $750
Level 2 = $650
Level 1 = $550

So even assuming a referee is in tier 4, and does a game a week and a couple of playoff matches at $1000 a piece, we are not even talking about $30000 a good $10K less than an entry level player in MLS. (By the way, NO ONE is doing that many matches in MLS)

So while I believe MLS players generally are not paid enough ... the referees are certainly a far cry from even that. Now granted, most MLS referees have "day jobs" where players obviously don't, but with the "outcry" for better refereeing ... is it worth it to MLS to make more referees "professional" as a couple are currently today? Will we soon see a MLS referee union to negotiate for such things as the players currently have?

Should have kept his day job ...

Photo courtesy of Fox Sports

Reports from the training camp that Ochocinco is attending are pretty clear. This quote from the AP says a lot.

Locked out of his day job, Ochocinco opened a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday and by the end of his first day with the Major League Soccer team the star receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals was panting for breath.

He said himself he did not expect to be "Superman" ... but many, I think, expected more than what he has shown.

I for one give him credit for a couple of things. First, he clearly underestimated the fitness level required and kudos to him for going through the paces with an MLS team. He said himself he ate some "humble pie." I personally have taken that ride and I am with him ... it hurts.

Second, childhood fantasy or media stunt, he is making the effort, not just showing up and taking pictures. In a particularly vivid moment when asked if he would play for free, he quickly said,  "Yes. Can I do that?"

So at the end of the day while I believe there is no place in KC's lineup for Ochocinco, there seems to be a genuine part of him that loves THE game ... and would play, if he could, for free.

I doubt however that Peter Vermes is going to give him that chance.

A Cry for Help

So yesterday (literally) I was leaving a local indoor soccer facility when a avid reader of Kicking Back, friend, and friend of THE game stopped me. We chatted for a second about a couple of things and he said something really funny, and really insightful.

I would't know Sepp Blatter if he came up to me and gave me a dollar.

I joked for a second that he would actually try to take one from you, no doubt for the upcoming FIFA presidential elections. There was an excellent point in there however worth repeating.

It was, while there is a grander canvas with the international game, and it is good to go back to that on occasion, there is also a very vibrant local game that requires some commentary.

They were right.

To that end dear readers, while I have a bunch of things queued up, I am asking here for your help. For those who have been reading Kicking Back for the last year or so, thank you, for those who have to catch up, the archives are located here too to get a flavor. If there is a more local story or topic you are interested in, please let me know, and we will certainly get it some air time.

Send ideas to blogmaster@kicking-back.com and we'll send out our roving reporters to cover the action.

As always, thanks for reading.

Bye Bye NHL? MLS to take the #4 Spot in US Sports?

Major League Soccer is Poised to Overtake the NHL as the 4th Most Popular Professional Sports League in the U.S.

As data from the 2010 Census emerges, the cultural demographic of the U.S. population is shifting. It’s only a matter of time until our sports landscape catches up.

For the better part of half a century, U.S. professional sports have been dominated by the four major professional sports leagues: the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of Fox News Latino.

Kicking Back Comments: An interesting article but not really an apples to apples comparison. It would appear Ms. Ortiz conclusions are based largely on the 2010 census data. There are some key points she left out.

First while she compared head to head average game attendance with MLS and NHL, she neglects to account for at least two variables. First, each NHL team plays about twice as many games as an MLS team. Second, there are about twice as many NHL teams as MLS teams. If you account for both of these factors, NHL average per game attendance would be 4x MLS average attendance.

That aside, the individual market numbers are interesting and are more apples to apples as are the general trends of increasing attendance for MLS, and decreasing attendance for the NHL.

All and all this is a feel good piece for MLS which continues to expand in its 16th year, and a feel good piece for Latinos who themselves saw growth as a demographic in the 2010 census.

Both are great things for THE game.